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Earl Merton Thomas, 84, of Greenville, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Greenville, Texas. A memorial service will be at 10 A.M., Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Salem Kinser Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Shaddox officiating. Coker-Mathews was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Thomas was born March 13, 1940, in DeKalb County, Alabama, to Bailey Thomas and Willene Boydston Thomas. He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Earl jumped from perfectly good airplanes, serving as a paratrooper medic in the 82nd Airborne of the United States Army, followed by a term as a firefighter. He also worked as an Arkansas State Trooper. He became a registered nurse working in physician clinics and hospitals. He started and owned several businesses, the last of which was a fence company in Arkansas until his retirement in 2005.
Upon retirement. Earl enjoyed adventurous trips with Karan, including his favorite, Machu Picchu.
He was a lifelong fisherman, enjoying many fishing trips with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving companion, Karan Ellis; sons, Barry Dale Thomas and wife Kelley of Cabot, Arkansas and James “Jay” Corrons and wife Saundra of Conway, Arkansas; daughter, Rhonda Karyl Myers and husband Kelly of Jefferson City, Missouri; and brother, Hoyt Thomas and wife Linda of Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was blessed with six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Charles Thomas.
He was a faithful member of Salem Kinser Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Salem Kinser Methodist Church or the local food bank, Hunt County Shared Ministries.
Mr. Thomas was born March 13, 1940, in DeKalb County, Alabama, to Bailey Thomas and Willene Boydston Thomas. He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Earl jumped from perfectly good airplanes, serving as a paratrooper medic in the 82nd Airborne of the United States Army, followed by a term as a firefighter. He also worked as an Arkansas State Trooper. He became a registered nurse working in physician clinics and hospitals. He started and owned several businesses, the last of which was a fence company in Arkansas until his retirement in 2005.
Upon retirement. Earl enjoyed adventurous trips with Karan, including his favorite, Machu Picchu.
He was a lifelong fisherman, enjoying many fishing trips with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving companion, Karan Ellis; sons, Barry Dale Thomas and wife Kelley of Cabot, Arkansas and James “Jay” Corrons and wife Saundra of Conway, Arkansas; daughter, Rhonda Karyl Myers and husband Kelly of Jefferson City, Missouri; and brother, Hoyt Thomas and wife Linda of Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was blessed with six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Charles Thomas.
He was a faithful member of Salem Kinser Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Salem Kinser Methodist Church or the local food bank, Hunt County Shared Ministries.